Espresso in The Rain

Noah didn't come back the next day.

But he did come back the day after that.

And the day after that.

And somehow, without realizing it, he had fallen back into his routine.

Morning lectures. A quick stop at The Roasted Heaven. Late nights studying. Repeat.

The only difference?

He had stopped pretending he wasn't watching Elias.

It was subtle, the way his eyes lingered a little too long when Elias moved behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, veins prominent against his forearms. The way his stomach tightened whenever Elias flashed him a lazy smirk, like he knew.

Noah hated how obvious he was being.

Even worse, Santa had definitely noticed.

"Ah, young love," Santa sighed dramatically one afternoon as they sat by the window. "It's disgusting."

Noah scowled, stirring his coffee. "Shut up."

Santa grinned. "Why don't you just admit it?"

"Admit what?"

Santa gave him a deadpan look. "That you like him, dumbass."

Noah's grip tightened around his cup. "I don't—"

Santa raised a hand. "Let me stop you right there. Because if you say you don't like him, I will throw this muffin at you."

Noah shot him a glare. "That's a waste of a perfectly good muffin."

Santa smirked. "Then stop lying to yourself."

Noah exhaled sharply. He turned away, staring out the window. The sky was cloudy, the streets damp from an earlier drizzle.

It had rained the first time he met Elias.

Funny, how that worked.

Santa leaned back in his chair. "You know, you can pretend all you want, but he definitely likes you too."

Noah's pulse stuttered. "What?"

Santa smirked. "Oh, come on, Noah. Have you seen the way he looks at you? The teasing? The free coffee? The way he actually remembers your order?"

Noah frowned. "He probably does that for all his regulars."

Santa snorted. "Perth told me last night that Elias doesn't even bother remembering his order. And they've been friends for years."

Noah blinked.

That… didn't help.

At all.

Before he could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Gossiping about me again?"

Noah stiffened.

Elias was standing beside their table, one hand tucked into his apron pocket, the other resting against the back of a chair. His gaze flickered between them, amused.

Santa grinned. "Always."

Elias shook his head, then turned his attention to Noah. "You didn't come yesterday."

Noah swallowed. "I had class."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Right. Because your class totally stopped you from coming in the past three weeks."

Noah cursed internally.

Santa chuckled. "He was probably too busy thinking about you."

Noah kicked him under the table.

Elias smirked. "I'm flattered, Kim."

Noah groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I hate both of you."

Santa patted his shoulder. "No, you don't."

Elias chuckled. "Your usual today?"

Noah exhaled, giving up. "Yeah."

Elias nodded, lingering for just a second longer before walking back toward the counter.

Santa waited until he was out of earshot before leaning in. "Dude. You're so screwed."

Noah sighed, resting his chin on his palm.

Yeah.

He knew.